Score: (RV) VCU 1, George Mason 0 (OT)
Location: Fairfax, Va. (George Mason Stadium)
Records: (RV) VCU 8-4-1 (4-2-0 Atlantic 10), George Mason 2-10-1 (0-5-0 A-10)
 
The short story: Senior left back Simon Fitch converted a penalty kick in overtime to give VCU its third win in the last four matches.
 
QUICK FACTS

• Fitch's goal was his third of the season and fifth of his career. Every goal the Richmond native has scored this year has been a game-winner.
• Redshirt freshman goalkeeper John Ermini made a pair of saves to collect the second clean sheet of his career.
• VCU outshot Mason 17-12, including a stark 10-2 advantage in shots on goal.
• The Rams also took 10 corner kicks, compared to just three from the Patriots.
• VCU remains in a three-way tie for second place in the A-10 standings with Rhode Island and Saint Joseph's, each with 12 points in the table.
• VCU is receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll for the seventh straight week.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Ermini did well in the 15th minute, getting low to deny a redirected Mason cross.
• Senior forward Jared Greene played a dangerous ball across the face of goal in the 18th minute that was inches ahead of a sliding Biska Biyombo.
• The best scoring chance of the first half came in the 34th minute as sophomore winger Celio Pompeu cut a ball back from the endline for redshirt junior midfielder Pierre Fiorre Mane, who blasted a shot on goal that forced a diving save.
• Freshman midfielder Damian Gallegos had multiple shots in the opening moments of the second half, including a threatening effort that was blocked in the box.
• Redshirt freshman forward Ethan Manheim barely missed a cross from freshman midfielder Philip Klomp in the 66th minute, then muscled his way through traffic to fire off a shot four minutes later.
• Fitch nearly put the Rams on top in the 79th minute, heading a corner kick that rattled the crossbar and bounced down, inches away from crossing the line.
• Moments later, Klomp curled a shot that Mason goalkeeper Jackson Lee was forced to punch over the bar.
• Gallegos got a head to a cross in the 88th minute that was saved.
• Pompeu drew a foul in the box in the 96th minute, and Fitch stepped up to the spot and slotted the ball into the back of the net as Lee dove the wrong way.

 
UP NEXT
VCU continues its challenging 2021 schedule on Tuesday, Oct. 19 when it hosts UNCW at 7 p.m. at Sports Backers Stadium. The Seahawks are receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll and are ranked #25 by TopDrawerSoccer.
 
Tuesday night is both Pride Night and Pups on the Pitch. For more information on VCU Men's Soccer tickets, click here. Every home VCU Men's Soccer match is streamed on ESPN+.